Definition

1. Noun:

   • A loud, sharp, piercing cry or sound: A vocal expression of strong emotion, typically fear, pain, or excitement, or a similar high-pitched noise made by an object.
   • Something extremely funny: (Informal) Something or someone that causes loud laughter.

2. Verb:

   • To utter a loud, sharp, piercing cry: To cry out loudly in a high voice, often due to fear, pain, or excitement.
   • To make a loud, high-pitched sound: To produce a shrill, piercing noise, like a siren or engine.
   • To speak or shout very loudly: To say something with an extremely raised voice, often in anger or to be heard over noise.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • A scream of terror echoed through the haunted house.
  • The comedian's joke was an absolute scream; the audience couldn't stop laughing.
  • We heard the scream of the jet engines as the plane took off.

• Verb:

  • She screamed when she saw the spider.
  • The racing cars screamed around the track.
  • "Watch out!" he screamed as the car swerved.

Advanced Usage

• "Scream for": To demand something urgently or desperately.
  • The headlines were screaming for justice.
• "Scream out": To be very obvious or noticeable.
  • The bright red door screamed out against the grey house.
• "Scream blue murder" (Idiom): To protest or complain very loudly and angrily.
  • He started screaming blue murder when he saw the parking ticket.

Variants and Related Words

• Screamer (n): 1. A person or thing that screams. 2. (Informal) Something remarkable or sensational.
• Screaming (adj): 1. Causing or emitting screams. 2. (Informal) Extremely obvious or striking.
• Screamingly (adv): Extremely.

Synonyms

• Shriek: A short, high-pitched scream or cry.
• Screech: A loud, harsh, shrill cry or sound.
• Yell: To shout loudly, often in anger or encouragement.
• Howl: A long, loud, doleful cry.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Scream at: To shout very loudly and angrily at someone.
  • The coach screamed at the players for their mistake.
• Scream down: To travel very fast while making a loud noise.
  • The motorcycle screamed down the empty highway.

Related Idioms

• A scream a minute: (Informal) Describing a situation that is continuously very funny or exciting.
  • The comedy show was a scream a minute.
• Scream your head off: To scream very loudly and for a long time.
  • The fans were screaming their heads off when the band came on stage.

Noun

1. a joke that seems extremely funny
2. a high-pitched noise resembling a human cry
   • he ducked at the screechings of shells
   • he heard the scream of the brakes
3. sharp piercing cry
   • her screaming attracted the neighbors

Verb

1. make a loud, piercing sound
   • Fighter planes are screaming through the skies
2. utter or declare in a very loud voice
   • You don't have to yell--I can hear you just fine
3. utter a sudden loud cry
   • she cried with pain when the doctor inserted the needle
   • I yelled to her from the window but she couldn't hear me